After Billboard began counting YouTube streams, it appears the RIAA is ready to follow suit. According to Cary Sherman, Chairman & CEO of RIAA, the service will begin to count song streams towards Gold and Platinum awards. Here is what Sherman had to say:

“Including music streaming in Gold & Platinum awards marks the continued evolution of the industry’s premier program for recognizing artistic achievement, and it reflects the wide spectrum of ways consumers enjoy music from their favorite bands. The music business, along with its incredible array of digital service partners, is offering fans more access to music than ever before. We’re thrilled that our awards will now more fully recognize artists’ commercial success today.”

To break it down for you, this includes streaming services like MOG, Rdio, Rhapsody, Slacker, Spotify and more, as well as video services like VEVO and YouTube. All of which will count towards the certifications as follows: 500,000 (Gold), 1,000,000 (Platinum) and 2,000,000 plus (multi-Platinum).

Personally, I think this is a fantastic idea. As the structure of the music business continues to change, the RIAA undoubtedly was handing out less and less certifications. With this move, they will remain relevant in the eye of the modern day consumer, as well as recognize some of the industry’s most popular artists. Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Below is a list of artists that will be included in the initial wave of certifications. [via]

RIAA certification has always been more reflective of a song’s popularity than its quality, so I guess it’s good they’re making it more reflective of that fact. I hope there’s some kind of check on it for songs that have millions of views and millions of dislikes though.